Chapter 76: Li Xun Ambushed Again

Li Xingchao's letter was quickly delivered into the hands of the Grand Prince of Central Province.

The two jointly controlled Yu State for many years, constantly forming factions, vying for power and profit; the appearance of the Ti Lan Mountain relic saw the Yun family as the first to discover it, and later personnel of the Seventh Prince Li Xingchao received a secret report and also learned of the relic's existence.

By the time the Grand Prince received the news, Li Xingchao and Yun Jin had already entered.

At this moment, Li Xingchao suddenly wrote saying he wanted to fully open the relic, and the Grand Prince naturally agreed gladly.

After both agreed, the news that an ancient martial master's relic had appeared inside Ti Lan Mountain quickly spread throughout the Seven Provinces of Yu State.

Legend says that in ancient times, martial arts flourished greatly on this land; back then, a Martial Lord Realm cultivator was comparable to today's Martial Apprentice, only able to do menial chores.

Those above the Martial Lord Realm were as numerous as cow hairs, and there were many beings like immortals and gods whose mere gestures could rend mountains and rivers.

Although these legends contain some exaggeration, in recent years the appearance of some relics has indeed verified one thing: martial arts truly once flourished.

The Ti Lan Mountain relic concerns an ancient martial master; its interior undoubtedly contains many rare treasures, techniques, and even that master's inheritance.

If one could fortuitously obtain some benefits from the relic, for an ordinary martial artist it would be akin to defying heaven and changing fate.

For a time, the major powers of the Seven Provinces, numerous wandering martial artists from the streets, and itinerant warriors all set out heading for Maple Forest Town.

At the same time, Li Xingchao also compiled the strategy he had personally explored for the relic, had tens of thousands of copies printed, and offered them for sale to all factions.

This practice of his puzzled Yun Jin.

These things were painstakingly tested by their group at the cost of their lives; to sell them so easily—is it not somewhat unworthy?

Li Xingchao, however, laughed and said: "The road ahead of the relic has already been probed at the cost of life by myself and the Golden Scale Guard; there's no need to let other factions' martial artists waste their lives on it."

"We should let them keep their lives to explore how to proceed further."

Upon hearing this, Yun Jin suddenly understood: the original intention of opening the relic was to have other factions' martial artists help them scout the path.

Providing them with a map of the front reduces their casualties, allowing more people to reach the rear; besides, the good things left along the path they've already taken have mostly been collected, so selling the map and strategy poses no problem.

Outside Maple Forest Town, on the official road to Clear River County, Li Xun, accompanied by the remaining fifty-plus Golden Scale Guard, was slowly heading toward Central Province.

These past few days, he had repeatedly begged his father in private to let him stay in Maple Forest Town to continue his training, vowing to regain his lost face.

But Li Xingchao did not agree, insisting that he first return to Central Province.

As the Heaven's Pride of the imperial family and the sole disciple of Man‑slayer Zhao Wují, the twenty‑year‑old he emerged for training with Martial Master Peak strength, yet he never expected to repeatedly hit setbacks in Maple Forest Town.

Inside the carriage, Li Xun's complexion was grim.

Suffering from dwarfism, he had been mocked since childhood; later his martial talent shone, and he became a genius of the imperial family, yet those jeers never completely faded.

Li Xun wanted to prove himself, so after reaching Martial Master Peak he followed his father Li Xingchao to Maple Forest Town for training.

This return, he feared, would again invite mockery from those people.

Feeling irritable, he lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, Li Xun pondered.

Whoosh!

But just then, a dark‑green object shot swiftly at Li Xun, who had just lifted the curtain!

That dark‑green object rapidly approached—it was a small snake entirely dark green!

The small snake opened its mouth toward Li Xun's face, its sharp poison‑filled fangs flashing coldly as it lunged straight for his eyes!

Swish!

Li Xun shifted slightly, and with a wave of his hand a dark blade struck the green snake's body, cleaving it in half at the waist!

His other hand instantly seized the flying snake head!

Even after being severed at the waist, the small snake did not die immediately; the half‑body Li Xun held writhed violently, and as its crimson tongue flicked, it spat out a needle‑like stream of poison straight at Li Xun's eyes!

Li Xun startled, hastily turned his head to dodge, but being too close, the poison grazed his face!

Blood welled out, instantly turning from red to purplish‑black!

Swish!

Feeling the domineering toxin begin to seep into his body, Li Xun fiercely swung his sword, cutting away the wounded flesh!

The piece of flesh that fell inside the carriage instantly turned purplish‑black and emitted a foul stench!

Copious blood streamed down from the wound on Li Xun's cheek, making him look utterly miserable!

"Ambush!"

Everything happened so fast—from Li Xun's ambush to his narrow escape—it took only two breaths.

The accompanying Golden Scale Guard reacted fairly quickly; after a loud shout, they instantly drew their weapons and surrounded the carriage.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

At this moment, dark‑green small snakes again flew out from the woods beside the road!

These small snakes were like shot‑out swords, extremely fast; once near a target, they swiftly twisted their bodies, adjusted direction, and bit at any unarmored spot!

Some Golden Scale Guard members failed to dodge; the small snakes closed in, bit them, and the victims instantly turned purplish‑black visible to the naked eye, dying of poison!

Fortunately, the Golden Scale Guard are elites; after a brief panic and losing a few men, they also managed to block this wave of attack!

Roar!

Roar!

After the poisonous snake attack, bestial roars suddenly erupted from both sides of the woods, followed by huge feral beasts charging out from the trees on either side, straight at the carriage Li Xun was riding!

The horses pulling the carriage were frightened, neighing incessantly; no matter how the Golden Scale Guard drivers pulled the reins, it was of no avail!

Bang!

Inside the carriage, Li Xun burst through the roof, swung his sword and killed the two horses pulling it, then sat calmly on the roof, his gaze cold as he swept over the approaching feral beasts!

Wu!

He knew for certain that those attacking him were surely shamans!

After learning he was Zhao Wují's disciple, these shamans were dead set on eliminating him to avenge their master.

"Don't panic, kill these beasts!" Li Xun barked coldly, then himself leapt forward and charged toward the roadside woods.

Aside from their sinister methods, the witch's own strength is weak; they only hide in the dark, controlling these ferocious beasts to wear them down.

As the saying goes, to capture the bandits, first capture their chief; Li Xun intends to rely on his own strength to find that witch controlling the ferocious beasts in the forest.

As long as we slay him, these ferocious beasts are nothing to worry about.

Deep in the forest.

"Tong Tong, let's go; I sense a strong expert approaching."

Clad in coarse linen, the Southern Witch beneath this large cloak looked at Tong Tong, who rode the silver giant wolf beside her, and spoke.

"Southern Witch Sir, we're just a bit short…"

"Let's go, no rush, take it slow." The Southern Witch interrupted her words calmly.

Tong Tong glanced resentfully at Li Xun not far away, lightly patted the giant wolf beneath her, and then let out a tender beastly roar.

Upon hearing that roar, the ferocious beasts that had been battling the Golden Scale Guard in the distance immediately abandoned their opponents and fled in all directions.

Seeing the beasts withdraw, Li Xun stopped in place, silently scanned the surrounding forest, then somewhat resentfully returned to the carriage.

Seeing the corpses of the Golden Scale Guard strewn haphazardly on the ground, his face grew even uglier!

In Maple Forest Town, Fang Xu was cultivating when a virtual panel popped up before him.

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(End of chapter)